Rolling back the years: Skoda target youth with new Fabia

That doesn't necessarily mean they all drove one - it could be parents buying for starter-driver children. But with the average age of all car buyers at 49, the chances are most people who bought/own a Fabia are in their fifties. It is a second car for many families too - so the age profile is high. But that is going to change, if Skoda have their way.

This new Fabia has been made for, modelled on, and will be targeted at a younger and larger audiences, particularly women.

I'd say the same thing is talked about with the likes of the segment leaders Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio etc. So there will be an interesting battle for new owners for Skoda who plan on getting 1,000 behind the wheel of a new Fabia next year (up 500 on old model). There will be an estate (Combi) in early spring which should add another 150 or so.

This supermini segment accounted for one-in-six purchases this year; and €15,000 is generally the starting point on price.

Without in any way breaking moulds, Skoda seem to have invested a lot in areas they need to for younger buyers to take it seriously - without alienating the mature generation, I presume.

It is built on the famous Volkswagen global MQB platform (Audi A3, Golf) and evidence of mothership is everywhere, especially in the cabin where dials/buttons etc are familiar. However, similar to what they have done with the likes of the Octavia, Skoda have authoritatively applied their own stamp.

Due here next month, the Fabia is lower, wider (35mm) and a tad shorter (8mm) on a slightly longer wheelbase. The wider element manifests itself in more lateral (elbow) room in the cabin. Good seats, plenty of cubbyholes, excellent headroom (despite the lower roof), simple dials and instruments help convey a modern, clean look and feel. Now the dash could be a dark spot, I'd say, judging from a couple I looked at. But the Irish distributors are not having that. They will have a contrasting colour insert on the front passenger side.

Or you can have your own personalised picture 'built in' - you send the image to your dealer and for €20 it becomes part of the dash.

Another part of the 'youthification' is the number of two-tone versions (white roof, different body colour). They dominated this international launch. You can even order red wheels to match a red roof (and handbag, shoes or lipstick?),

I thought there was good space in the cabin (decent rear-legroom) and they claim the biggest boot (330 litres) in its class.

Critically it is 65kg lighter (the equivalent of one passenger). Along with new, and heavily revised engines, that helps lower emissions and raise mpg. Engines now fall into the €190 (all petrols) or €180 (diesels) road tax bands. Some petrols were €270.

It is expected most (young) people will opt for the 1-litre 3cyl petrol (60bhp) in second-tier Ambition trim) and/or its 75bhp stablemate.

I drove the latter quite extensively. Despite working it hard and into the higher revs, it was quiet and flexible. I also drove the 4cyl 1.2-litre TSI (90bhp). I preferred it because it didn't rev as high and had that bit more power. It is really a matter of taste and price. It, and the 1.4-litre diesels, will make up the remainder of sales.

Prices will start from €13,995. However, while 60pc of current model sales were at entry level (Active), they now expect second-level Ambition trim to attract more.

With entry level you don't get Bluetooth or air con. Neither do you get air con in Ambition, which, mind you, is up €400 on the old one. You do get the new touchscreen sound system, 15ins alloys, LEDs, Bluetooth and multi-function steering wheel. Expect this to cost around €15,500.

Top spec Style (formerly Elegance) is coming down in price and will have air con, rear electric windows, 16ins alloys, keyless start and rear-parking sensors.

Connectivity and apps are de rigeur, of course. The Fabia has the MirrorLink system which effectively works via your smartphone (but NOT iPhone). I think MirrorLink is a work in progress. It offers a lot, not least sat nav in this case, but is dependent on a good wifi signal. Ours faded a few times leaving us with a blank sat nav screen. It will cost a few hundred extra.

Overall, the Fabia is a major improvement. It's brighter, sharper, crisper and better to drive without doing anything earth shattering.

Its entry price will get attention but watch for the price steps between each spec level. You don't feel them creeping into big money. It will be interesting to see what the age profile will be like this time next year.

Anyone for red wheels?